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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 120 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: trunk · track · bore · ruler · saw · foot · land · wake

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  14. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. She's very handy with a ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. When are we going to ________________?
  21. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. bore — to drill
  6. track — a path
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. wake — a trail
  9. track — to keep track
  10. foot — a measure
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. wake — before a funeral
  14. land — ground
  15. saw — the tool
  16. track — a song
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. saw — the tool
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. land — to come down
  21. land — a country
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. bore — to tire
  24. bore — gave birth

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com